[QUOTE]Originally posted by Jay:If in a street scenario, wrestling someone on the ground kinda beats around the bush. Go straight for the vitals once you have an opportunity. What Chen Zen said...rip eyes, nostrils, groin. [/QUOTE]

Chen Zen was kidding...

Going for the eyes, nostrils and groin, etc. are NOT the way to get out of headlocks, especially on the ground. You'd better have technical skills first, before you go about REACHING for any sort of targets like that. The problem with going for those "vitals" is that you're being set up for those things and don't realize it. Why take the chance?

The technical escapes are easy enough and don't expose you to having your arms broken and shoulders dislocated when attempting to gouge the eyes, etc.

I say this because I train heavily in submission wrestling. I anticipate such attacks, even when rolling with my students and partners. Moving your arms away from your body in ANY sort of reaching attempt with the exception of framing up (preparing an escape attempt, such as a headlock) is going to put your body out of position.

I assumed that the opponent was not a martial artist but some average bum off the street. If someone is trying to get you in a headlock, grab him by the balls and give him a little lift. Chances are, he will not care about the headlock anymore. I also assumed that it was not on the ground. The groin is an overestimated target, but not if you attack it correctly. What I was getting at is more of a mentallity than a technique. Do not let him get you in a headlock. If he gets you in one, do not play fair.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by JKogas:Chen Zen was kidding... Moving your arms away from your body in ANY sort of reaching attempt with the exception of framing up (preparing an escape attempt, such as a headlock) is going to put your body out of position.

-John[/QUOTE]

Congratulations John you were the only one who knew. Keeping people on there toes. The advice you gave was good. I was expecting a longer list of techniques though.. [IMG]http://www.fightingarts.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif[/IMG]

Bend over grab the pant leg of the front of one thigh in each hand, use your back muscles to then stand up straight and your opponents legs will be lifted off the ground then drop them as hard or as softly as you like.

Going for the eyes, nostrils and groin, etc. are NOT the way to get out of headlocks, especially on the ground. You'd better have technical skills first, before you go about REACHING for any sort of targets like that. The problem with going for those "vitals" is that you're being set up for those things and don't realize it. Why take the chance?

The technical escapes are easy enough and don't expose you to having your arms broken and shoulders dislocated when attempting to gouge the eyes, etc.

I say this because I train heavily in submission wrestling. I anticipate such attacks, even when rolling with my students and partners. Moving your arms away from your body in ANY sort of reaching attempt with the exception of framing up (preparing an escape attempt, such as a headlock) is going to put your body out of position.

-John[/QUOTE]

That's why were here, to talk about the technical skills we can share with others who lack them. The technique that I explained is done all the time and proven very "street effective". You can add in all the vaibles to self defense you want but the question was , "How do you get out of a head lock" What if your not a submission wrestler? What if, what if, what if....I hate that expression.

I think in the future if someone asks a question about self defense or such topics, please be more specific about who is attacking or grabbing you, is he a MA, is he a submission wrestler, a friend. There are so many varibles and answers to one question.............thanks.

The hard way? Learn a bunch of different techniques, memorize them and then in the heat of the fight try to recall the technical details and make them work.

The easy way? Learn how to clinch. Underhooks, Whizzers, Neck Clinches, Headlocks and play them alive, like a game. Learn to pummel and make it part of your regular training. It will be fun and you'll be amazed at your ability to avoid getting caught in and countering headlocks.